I have wanted to attend Biola University since I was a child, maybe close to seven years of age. Sure, I grew up being on campus and comfortable with the school, but I found Biola to be more special than other schools. I have always valued Biola’s biblically centered education. Being a Christian, I strive to attain Christ-like attributes, impact the world for His name, and glorify the almighty God with various aspects of my life. I understand that this generation is extremely God-less and in need of the redemptive powers of our Savior and I intend to bring a glimpse of His light to the world.

So, where are all the Christians? I mean, we have Joel Osteen, but I’m not too sure how biblically sound the “health and wellness”—or prosperity gospel—really is, if anything it’s ungodly. Greg Laurie is doing good things, but why are all the public Christian figures overtly Evangelical pastors? Ought we only look up to public Christian figures such as these? I’m grateful for people like Tim Tebow and Bethany Hamilton. Both are Christians, but they have made their names by being the best they can be at the vocation they have been oriented toward. They have used their God-given vocations to prosper and glorify His name as a response of gratefulness and thanks. We need more of these people. We need Christian Psychologists, we need Christian Politicians, we need Christian Educators, we need Christian authors (who don’t just write about Apologetics or Christian-romance books), we need Christian Journalists, we need Christian Film Makers, we need Christ to be proclaimed through His children’s excellence in various vocations.

As Biola instills principles of integrating faith and learning into their coursework for each major, as they are in the process of creating “Tim Tebow’s" of each vocation. Requiring students to think biblically about hard topics, gain a Biblical Studies minor, attend chapel/conferences, get internship credits, and prepare us for the “big,” or “real” world. Biola keeps Christ at the center and in focus—just as He ought to be. This practice allows for Biola’s students to delve deeper into evangelism by equipping its students with deep, integral knowledge. I am majoring in Journalism and Integrated with Visual Media and double minoring in Psychology (and the required, Biblical Studies). I have chosen Journalism as it suits my God-given skills and Psychology because I love understanding people and how they work. Being a Journalism major, I am willingly going into one of the most God-less fields of study and I couldn’t be more excited. I am excited to become a good Journalist and be able to minister through my work. Biola is equipping me to integrate my faith into my learning, so it could spread not only into my profession, but into my daily living.

Going back to the Greg Laurie “vs.” Bethany Hamilton example I proposed earlier; I’m not saying the world doesn’t need less “Greg Laurie’s” and more “Bethany Hamilton’s,” we need both; I’m suggesting people be equipped in both. Christians need to be both evangelicals and [insert whatever vocation you have a passion for here]. As the common saying goes, “actions speak louder than words.” If Christians allow their actions to speak loudly—being the best at their God-given vocation—then they will hold more weight in the non-Christian community. By simply being excellent at their jobs in the public arena, the non-Christian community can see their works, admire their excellence, and build respect for the individuals. Once a Christian reaches this point in their professional career, it is easier for them to overtly preach the Gospel—as they hold a higher respect among peers.

I have chosen this university, because Biola’s mission to integrate faith, learning, and living so I could do just that. Meld my walk into my education and my life, so I can glorify God through the gifts He has given and the desires His heart has for me.